A small cluster of systems, well within the safety of the VINDHYA Line. Ignored during earlier settlement drives due to a lack of exciting resources, the increasing numbers of Core worlds within the VINDHYA Line in recent centuries made general resource extraction a more attractive option. Six MAUI-type colony ships were launched 208 Standard years ago, a half-dozen smaller corpros jockeying for position. One, the Tumaini, was lost in transit. The others made landfall and founded prosperous, if unexciting, colonies. And now Liyongo, the most prosperous and advanced of the colonies, is on the cusp of being officially welcomed into Union.

Blink Station PROVISIONAL VL-ZZ/2 has just been completed, linking Liyongo to the rest of the Core worlds. In a month, a Union Administrator will arrive to sign the treaties that will add Liyongo to the worlds of Union. The rest of the system, even the rest of the Reach, was breathless in anticipation for the next step in the evolution of their home. The future was bright- until three days ago.

The IPS-Northstar NEARLIGHT freighter Wayward Son was coming to Liyongo at the end of a 60-Standard year loop through the rest of Durango Reach and nearby systems. It would be the first ship to use the new blinkgate after the naming ceremony, an honor meant to cement ties with IPS-N. While inbound through the outer reaches of the system, Wayward Son came under vicious pirate attack. Assaulted by a half-dozen subline vessels carrying multiple wings of interceptors and mechanized cavalry, only an emergency nearlight eject kept the near-crippled freighter from being lost.

Liyongo High Command is both mortified and furious, viewing this attack as an attempt to embarrass them in front of Union and the Corpro-States. So while damage reports and after-action briefings are still being compiled, before the larger fish can be roused, they are taking action. The newly minted Union Auxiliary Patrol FUMO will be sent to smash the pirates, showing all that they can take care of themselves. They have the ships, they have the men. What they don’t have is the tip of the spear, the mechanized cavalry.

They need a Lancer. They need you.

*****
Even before its fully operation, the blink station is a busy place. But after multiple tram rides and several rounds of direction-asking, you at last find yourself in front of Liyongo Union Auxiliary HQ. A young marine salutes as you approach and holds out a portable IDENT reader.

“Sorry, the concierge system is currently undergoing maintenance. Name and purpose of your visit?”
A loaded question if you ever heard one…

A: Akram bin Adil Safar- VENGEANCE
As the sole surviving member of the Wings of Light mech platoon stationed on Wayward Son, you have taken a temporary leave from IPS-N to avenge your squadmates and make sure the pirates can’t hurt anyone ever again.

B: Hediye Okafor - DUTY
The first member of the Liyongo Defense Force/Union Auxiliary to pass the rigorous tests to earn your mech licensure, you want to help your homeland in its time of need.

C: River - MONEY
Your Mirrorsmoke MC mercenary platoon was rotated out for R&R when you saw the posting on the omninet. A quick milkrun for some extra walking-around manna, easy-peasy.

D: Alice Un - FUN
Why not? Being a mech pilot (no, a Lancer) is just another thing to do to keep the boredom away.

=====

Hello! This will be a CYOA game set in the setting of the LANCER RPG. Its a universe where humanity has spread across an entire galactic arm and live in a (mostly) scarcity- and conflict-free state. But that (mostly) is large enough to drive a capital ship through, and on the edges, that’s where a hero in a mech is needed.

The marine straightens up a bit as your IDENT unspools into the system. You’ve seen the mixed expression on his face before too. The hero-worship whipped up by the holodrama version of mech pilots conflicting with the reality of a small man that’s greasy and rumpled from sleeping in his hardsuit for the last two days. (Don’t judge, maglocking yourself to a jumpseat is like a third the cost of an actual berth).

“Ah, apologies again sir. Ah, Pilot River. The check is nearly finished.” You take pity on the poor kid and wave carelessly.

“No friz, mon ami. I’m on the clock, so you can take as much time as you need.”

The reader finally finishes, much to the marine’s relief. He hands back your IDENT, your 'suit HUD chiming to notify you of the security clearance change. With a quick grin to the guard, you sling your duffle again and enter HQ. Its a hive of precision motion, your entrance causing small ripples as Auxiliary staff pause to get a look at the off-world specialist. You feel a little bad about not showering and cleaning out your ‘suit beforehand, but the station facilities were a massive rip-off. The nerve, trying to gouge you like you were just a bizclass drone.

The quick tapping of a completely symmetrical gait gives you a warning before the subaltern comes into view.
It seems the Liyongo-ites prefer basic shells with no frills. It gives you a pseudo-smile and snaps a perfect salute.

“Greetings Pilot River. We are BOUDICA, the local Union Auxiliary Non-Human Person. This unit has been assigned to you as a companion/concierge for the duration of your employment with Liyongo Auxiliary. Here, let Us take your bag for you!” The subaltern grabs your duffle before you can say anything, tipping slightly at the weight.

“Oh my, you certainly can pack quite a bit in a small carry-on!” It pauses, then holds out its hand. An alphanumeric keyboard flashes to life in the palm of its hand.

“Sorry, We nearly forgot. For security and identification confirmation, please enter the 4-digit OCCU code for your last position prior to entering pilot training.”